March 15, 2011

Ceva launches new poultry vector vaccine at VIV Asia

Ceva has launched its new poultry vaccine, Vectormune HVT- NDV^®, at the recent VIV Asia 2011 event held last week in Bangkok, Thailand.

This vector vaccine protects against both Newcastle and Mareks disease. The launch was being held at a symposium that was specially organised by Ceva during the VIV. Over 200 poultry specialists came together to discuss emerging issues and solutions in poultry health.

Dr. Giovanni Cattoli, Director of the Department of Research and Innovation, IZSVe, (Insituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Delle Venezie), an OIE/FAO reference laboratory, was one of the main speakers and emphasised that Newcastle Disease (ND) is still a serious threat to poultry producers around the world. 

Newcastle Disease is endemic in many Asian countries and has become more pathogenic and widespread in recent years. The disease, therefore, was also a hot topic among the Asian poultry producers present at the show, considering that the disease can result in mortality rates of up to 90%.

Vaccination against ND can be done through different types of vaccinations: Alive, dead, or vector vaccines. Vector vaccines are live micro organisms (bacteria or viruses) that are non-pathogenic or have a low pathogenity for the target species and where one or more genes have been inserted.

This is a relatively new method of vaccination: Because maternally derived antibodies do not affect its efficacy, vector vaccines like the one from Ceva can be given in the hatchery, in-ovo, or at the day-old and still provide lifelong protection.